Why Pathobiology?
PATHOBIOLOGY (DISEASE BIOLOGY) addresses diverse critical issues that affect human, animal, and environmental health (ONE HEALTH). These include disease surveillance, the effects of climate change on human and animal health, zoonosis, and vector-borne diseases. Our service and outreach programs support veterinarians, communities, and individuals throughout the state and region.
PATHOBIOLOGY majors have several focus areas available:
- Pre-Professional Health Sciences
- Medical School (Pre-MED)
- Dental School (Pre-DENTAL)
- Physician Assistant (Pre-PA)
- Veterinary School (Pre-VET)
- Medical Biotechnology
- Global Health & One Health
- Graduate School
We invite interested students to tour the department, meet other Pathobiology majors, and learn more about applying or changing majors.
Curriculum targets medical, dental, veterinary, or graduate schools, medical biotechnology, and global health.
Our research profile focuses on infectious diseases of humans and animals, vaccines, veterinary pathology, and wildlife diseases.
Our service initiatives offer nationwide support in veterinary clinical pathology and laboratory diagnostics.
Message from the Department Head
The Department of Pathobiology (disease biology) is the leading infectious disease and diagnostic unit at the main UConn campus. Our research focuses on microbiology (bacteriology and virology), immunology, and pathology. We are home to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) and the Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research (CEVR).
The PATHOBIOLOGY (PATH) undergraduate major offers three concentrations areas: (1) Pre-Health (Veterinary, Medical, Dental, and Physician Assistant schools), (2) Global Health (Public Health and One Health careers), and (3) Medical Biotechnology (biomedical/biotech industry and research hospitals and medical centers).
The major is rooted in life-transformative and experiential learning opportunities such as the START Program for freshman to engage in the major, explore future careers, and develop essential professional skills from their very first semester, and the PATHWAYS Program offered every semester starting sophomore year to focus on experiential learning activities targeting job training and resume building.
I encourage you to explore our teaching, research, and service programs. Welcome to Pathobiology!
Paulo H. Verardi, Department Head and Professor
Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
We provide top quality diagnostic services to our clients, who are comprised of veterinarians, members of the agricultural industry, owners of companion, zoo, and aquatic animals, stewards of Connecticut wildlife, and residents of Connecticut, New England, and beyond. We strive to work cooperatively with federal and state veterinary agencies to enhance disease surveillance and responses. Learn more.
Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research
The Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research uses research expertise and a collaborative approach to address animal diseases. Learn more.
US Animal Vaccinology Research Coordination Network
The US Animal Vaccinology Research Coordination Network (USAVRCN) is an initiative of USDA NIFA to bring together the breadth of stakeholders with interest in advancing vaccine research and improving vaccine-based disease control in agricultural and aquacultural species. Learn more.
Pathobiology includes teaching, research, service, and extension programs concerned with pathology and infectious diseases of humans, agricultural animals, companion animals, laboratory animals, and wildlife.